Common use of Third Party Participation Clause in Contracts

Third Party Participation. 1. A Party which is not a party to the dispute shall be entitled, on delivery of a written notice to the disputing Parties and the panel, to make written submissions to the panel, receive written submissions including annexes of the disputing Parties, attend hearings and make oral statements. 2. When delivering a written notice pursuant to paragraph 1, a third party to the dispute shall include an explanation of its particular interest in the dispute. 3. When making oral statements or written submissions, a third party shall respect the equal rights of the disputing Parties and not introduce new matters that go beyond the terms of reference. The oral statements or written submissions of the third party shall assist the panel in the resolution of the dispute, in particular by providing an additional perspective or a particular knowledge or insight. 4. The panel shall not consider oral statements or written submissions that do not meet the requirements set forth in paragraph 3. The panel is not required to address in its report the arguments made by the third party in its written submissions or oral statements.